Album Notes

With their high-power brand of energetic pop tunes, Popular Mechanics of Saint Louis, Missouri crunches, fuzzes, and lolls their way through one straightforward rock tune after another on Time And A Half. The subtlest hint of distinguished rock-twang punctuates the warm, melodic, nod-inducing, foot-tapping rock on this, the first full-length release of the outfit bringing together the guitar and vocals of Dave Todd, the bass guitar work of Rick Addis, and the able drumming of Tim Pinkerton.

“I Don’t Mind” kicks off the album with a stutter and a start, grabbing the listener with a solid, catchy hook or two and holding on to him or her with devil-may-care vocals, relationship-gone-afoul lyrics, and instrumental fluctuation between smooth undulations and staccato interruptions. “Terrible Habits” doesn’t relent after beginning with a quick and pulsing beat, quite resembling a pop music train all the way through. Interludes of diminuendo and the drop-off of the regularly monstrous guitar serve to accentuate the comparison—quiet, then loud, and always driving, driving, driving. A swaggering and soft near-samba approach to commence “Cold Dirty Ground” is a refreshing mix-up, but by no means alienates the listener, and the ever-presence of power-pop does manifest itself within the song as well. Comparisons to Hüsker Dü, The Hold Steady, and early Guided By Voices are not unwarranted—the Popular Mechanics sound is unadorned but not formulaic; straightforward but never mundane. What better name for a reliable, powerful, and palatable act such as this, but Popular Mechanics?

“Instantly catchy and resilient…direct and accessible…smart hooks and great fuzzy guitars…Nothing but smart oughta be hits here…upbeat music with a difference. Top pick.” –LMNOP aka dONW7, LMNOP.com & babysue.com

“Popular Mechanics displays a knack for making catchy, familiar rock music… Opening track "I Don't Mind" bears repeated listens…the band is right at home playing melodic bubblegum rock & roll.” –Christian Schaeffer, Riverfront Times (riverfronttimes.com)

“…Songs like “I Don’t Mind” and “Whatever’s In The Air” are…bouncily catchy…entertaining, and fun.” –Matt Flores, Eleven Magazine (elevenmusicmag.com)